Description

Vitamin A

Vitamin A is a fat-soluble vitamin that is stored in the liver.

Vitamin A is the name of a group of fat-soluble retinoids, including retinol, retinal, and retinyl
esters
Vitamin A is found in two primary forms:

Active Vitamin A, which comes from animal-derived foods and is called retinol. This can be
used directly by the body; it does not need to first convert the Vitamin.

Pro vitamin A (carotenoids) comes from fruits & vegetables. Beta carotene, a type of carotenoid
which is found primarily in plants, must be converted first to retinol in order to be utilized by the
body.

Other names of Vitamin A: 3-Dehydroretinol, Antixerophthalmic Vitamin, Axerophtholum,

Vitamine Liposoluble, retinol and Oleovitamin A, Vitamin A Acetate, Vitamin A Palmitate and
Vitamin A Propionate

Functions
(in the body)
Antioxidant
Protects eye health
Helps prevent cancer
Fights inflammation
Supports skin health & cell growth
Provides immune support
Promotes bone growth

(in food industry)

Added to dietetic food products for weight loss
Used in food products for children and babies
Added to margarine &milk
Prevents oxidation to increase shelf life
Can be used for multivitamin preparations or in soft gelatin capsules.

Infants
 0-6 months: 400 mcg/day
 7- 12 months: 500 mcg/ day
Children:
 1-3 years old: 300 mcg/day
 4-8 years old: 400 mcg/day
 9-13 years old: 600 mcg/day
Adult Females:
 14 years old and up: 700 mcg/day
 When pregnant: 750-770 mcg/day
 When breastfeeding: 1,200-1,300 mcg/day
Adult Males:
 14 years old and up: 900 mcg/day

Effects of Deficiency or Excess

Birth defects
Lower bone density
Jaundice
Nausea
Loss of apetite
Irritability
Hair loss
Eye health problems
hyperkeratosis

reduced resistance to infection

reproductive disorders

in children, vitamin A deficiency stunts their growth

Food Sources

Carrots , squash, egg, beef liver, tuna fish

Kelloggs corn flakes